Folding chair



(No Model.)

L. K. SMEDES.

FOLDING CHAIR.

Patented Mar. 3, 1885. QQE J Tu z ATTORNEYS 1w. Pains mwuma m, Washinglnn. n. c

IINITED STATES PATENT @rrrcn.

LEVI K. SMEDES, OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

' FOLDING CHAIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,381, dated March 3, 1885.

Application filed May 2, 1884. (No model.)

ondary legs pivoted to the main legs, a seat- 4 frame pivoted to. the secondary legs, and having pins engaging the grooves of the main legs, a back pivoted between the main legs, and pivoted links connecting the lower end of the back with the seat-frame.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a cross-section of my chair, showing it erected for use. Fig. 2 is a like section showing it folded. Fig. 3 is a front view thereof, partly.

in section, in condition corresponding to Fig.2.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

The letters A B designate the cross-legs, which are pivoted together, as at 0, there being two pairs of legs, one within the other. The legs A, which for convenience I denominate the main legs, are extended above the other or secondary legs, B, and are provided on the upper part with longitudinal grooves or slots D, one to each leg, for the reception of dowels E, projecting from the seat F, so that the latter is adapted to fold in the plane of the back, as presently explained. The seat F is pivoted to the secondary legs 13 on the forward part, as at G, and the dowels E are on the rear part thereof, one opposite to the other, these dowels being preferably furnished with washers E, to enter the grooves D of the main legs and guide the dowels therein without friction. The main legs A are united at the upper end, by means of a cross-piece, I,'to which is hingejointed the back J on the upper edge, as at K, this back being also connected to the seat F on the lower part by means of pivoted links L, one on each side.

When the chair is erected for use, as shown in Fig. 1, the seat-dowels E rest in the lower ends of the grooves D of the main legs and support the seat in a substantially horizontal position, while the links L support the back J in proper relation to the seat and to the cross-piece I of the main legs. If the parts are now adjusted to slide the dowels E upward in the grooves D of the main legs, the seat and back, together with the link L, are folded in the plane of the legs, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the links swinging in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. l, and the back adapting itself to such motion thereof, due to the jointed connection K. The adj ustment last named, as well asthe readj ustment of the parts to erect the chair, can be effected by placing the foot on the round 0 at the lower end of the secondary legs and throwing the upper ends of the main legs in the'proper direction to fold or unfold the legs, as the case may be, taking hold of the crosspiece I of the main legs for this purpose; and since this operation may be performed entirely fromthe rear of the chair the manipulation thereof is rendered extremely simple and expeditious.

A folding chair has heretofore been constructed of a pair of main legs connected at the top to form the sides of the back, and a pair of shorter legs pivoted to the main legs, and jointed at their upper ends to the front of a seat-board having side pins adapted to grooves provided in the upper portions of the main legs; such therefore I do not broadly claim.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is I The combination of a pair of main legs having grooves in their upper portions, apair of secondary legs pivoted to the main legs, a seat-frame pivoted to the secondary legs and having pins engaging the grooves of the main legs, a back pivoted between the main legs, and pivoted links connecting the lower end of the back with the seat-frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LEVI K. SMEDES. [L.s.]

Witnesses:

CHAS. WAHLERS, WILLIAM MILLER. 

